Welcome to season two of The Hot Seat, where each week we will preview a game that could make a coach's season or maybe end his tenure. And no, we're not going to start with Michigan coach Brady Hoke, though we're staying in the Big Ten.
Illinois isn't expected to win Saturday against Wisconsin. Despite the Badgers' loss last week at Northwestern, Wisconsin is nearly a four-touchdown favorite against the Illini, who have lost to Nebraska and at home to Purdue in the last two weeks.
On Monday, Illinois coach Tim Beckman said that “If we run the table, we end up with nine wins.” While we appreciate the optimism, it's simply not happening. That quote was two days after the Purdue loss. When you lose to Purdue at home, you probably shouldn't be wondering about going undefeated in the next six games.
The Illini don't have to win Saturday's game to make a positive impression. They just have to be competitive, or at least show some fight. While nine wins may be extremely improbable, six wins isn't, even if Beckman's teams have struggled in conference play in his tenure.
In his three seasons as Illinois' coach, Beckman's lone conference win came last season against Purdue, a team that only beat Indiana State in 2013.
Beckman's comments after the Purdue game aren't the first time this season that he has made a statement that, while true, is also a bit ridiculous at the same time. Following his team's 44-19 loss at Washington, Beckman said that "You take out 21 points on three plays, and we’re in this football game. You take away those 21 points and the final score is 23-19."
Those three plays were an interception return, a fumble return and a 75-yard pass play. It wasn't like Illinois was making mistakes in a specific area.
Those mistakes can't be made on the road on Saturday, even in the Illini's first full game without starting QB Wes Lunt, who is out with a broken leg. And Beckman can't be in a position to be wondering what-if about three touchdowns by the opposing team in a blowout again. If he is, the questions surrounding his status as Illinois' coach are only going to increase
With Lunt possibly coming back this season and home games against Minnesota, Iowa and Penn State remaining, a potential bowl berth is there for the taking. But if Illinois loses big to the Badgers and misses out on a bowl for the third straight season, there could be a regime change in the offing.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - The Hot Seat: Tim Beckman needs a good effort from his team against Wisconsin
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